Display panel, display apparatus having the same, and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A display panel includes an array substrate and an opposite substrate. The array substrate includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of first signal lines, a plurality of second signal lines and a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a pixel electrode and a common electrode insulated from the pixel electrode. The opposite substrate includes a plurality of connecting members. At least one of the connecting members is electrically connected to at least one of the first signal lines and the second signal lines by an externally provided pressure. Thus, when an externally provided pressure is applied to the display panel in order to perform a touch screen function, an alignment of the liquid crystal molecules disposed on the array substrate may not be substantially changed, and a display quality may be improved.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/675,131, filed on Feb. 15, 2007, which claimspriority to Korean Patent Application No. 2006-16077, filed on Feb. 20,2006 and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, andthe contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display panel, a display apparatushaving the same, and a method thereof. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a display panel capable of performing a touchscreen function, a display apparatus having the display panel, and amethod thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) apparatus displays an imageusing optical and electrical properties of liquid crystal, such as ananisotropic refractive index, an anisotropic dielectric constant, etc.The LCD apparatus has characteristics, such as a lighter weightstructure, lower power consumption, lower driving voltage, etc., incomparison with a display apparatus such as a cathode ray tube (“CRT”),a plasma display panel (“PDP”) and so on.

The LCD apparatus, in general, includes an input part having a controlinterface and a system part that calculates data to output a controlsignal. The data is applied to the system part through the input part,and the system part outputs the control signal based on the data todisplay an image.

Recently, the LCD apparatus further includes a touch panel that receivesdata using icons displayed on a screen of the LCD apparatus so that theuser directly inputs the data to an LCD panel. The touch panel detects atouch position on which the finger or the touching object makes contactwith the screen, and changes the touch position into an input signal toapply the input signal to the LCD apparatus. When a computer includesthe LCD apparatus having the touch panel, an additional input part suchas a keyboard, a mouse, etc., is unnecessary. In addition, in a mobiledevice such as a cellular phone that includes the LCD apparatus havingthe touch panel, an additional input part such as a keypad isunnecessary. Thus, the touch panel has been widely used.

When the touch panel is formed on the LCD panel, a thickness and a sizeof the LCD apparatus having the touch panel is increased. In order todecrease the thickness and the size of the LCD apparatus, the touchpanel is integrally formed with the LCD apparatus. When an object suchas a finger touches the touch panel integrally formed with the LCDapparatus, alignments of liquid crystal molecules in an area adjacent toa point touched by the finger are changed. Thus, rippling appears on ascreen of the LCD apparatus, and a display quality is deteriorated.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display panel capable of performing atouch screen function.

The present invention also provides a display apparatus having thedisplay panel.

The present invention also provides a method of preventing displayquality deterioration during a touch screen function.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a display panelincludes an array substrate and an opposite substrate. The arraysubstrate includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate linescrossing the data lines, a plurality of first signal lines substantiallyparallel to the gate lines, a plurality of second signal linessubstantially parallel to the data lines and a plurality of pixelsdefines by gate lines adjacent to each other and data lines adjacent toeach other. Each of the pixels includes a pixel electrode and a commonelectrode insulated from the pixel electrode. The opposite substrate iscombined with the array substrate to receive a liquid crystal layer andincludes a plurality of connecting members. At least one of theconnecting members is electrically connected to at least one of thefirst signal lines and the second signal lines by an externally providedpressure.

The first signal lines may be formed from a substantially same layer asthe gate lines, and the second signal lines may be formed from asubstantially same layer as the data lines.

The display panel may further include a gap-maintaining membermaintaining a gap between the array substrate and the oppositesubstrate. The gap-maintaining member may be a column spacer.

Each of the connecting members may have a protrusion protruding from theopposite substrate and a conductive layer covering the protrusion.

The array substrate may further include a plurality of first sensingelectrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes. Each of thefirst sensing electrodes is disposed on a respective one of the firstsignal lines and is electrically connected to a respective one of thefirst signal lines. Each of the second sensing electrodes is disposed ona respective one of the second signal lines and is electricallyconnected to a respective one of the second signal lines. The first andthe second sensing electrodes may be formed from a substantially samelayer as the pixel electrode. The first and the second sensingelectrodes may be formed from a substantially same layer as the commonelectrode of each pixel.

Alternatively, the array substrate may further include a plurality offirst sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, anda plurality of third sensing electrodes. Each of the first sensingelectrodes is disposed on a respective one of the first signal lines andis electrically connected to a respective one of the first signal lines.Each of the second sensing electrodes is disposed on a respective one ofthe second signal lines and is electrically connected to a respectiveone of the second signal lines. Each of the third sensing electrodes isspaced apart from the first and the second sensing electrodes and isoverlapped by each of the connecting members. The array substrate mayfurther include a common voltage line to apply a predetermined voltageto the common electrode, and each of the third sensing electrodes may beelectrically connected to the common voltage line.

The display panel may further include the liquid crystal layer betweenthe array substrate and the opposite substrate, wherein liquid crystalmolecules within the liquid crystal layer may be horizontally aligned onthe array substrate when the display panel is operated, and an alignmentof the liquid crystal molecules may not be substantially changed by theexternally provided pressure.

In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a displayapparatus includes a display panel, a touch position detecting part, anda position determining part. The display panel includes an arraysubstrate and an opposite substrate. The array substrate includes aplurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines crossing the datalines, a plurality of first signal lines substantially parallel to thegate lines, a plurality of second signal lines substantially parallel tothe data lines and a plurality of pixels defines by gate lines adjacentto each other and data lines adjacent to each other. Each of the pixelsincludes a pixel electrode and a common electrode insulated from thepixel electrode. The opposite substrate is combined with the arraysubstrate to receive a liquid crystal layer and includes a plurality ofconnecting members. At least one of the connecting members iselectrically connected to at least one of the first signal lines and thesecond signal lines by an externally provided pressure. The touchposition detecting part detects the first and the second signal lineselectrically connected to the connecting member to output a detectionsignal. The position determining part determines position coordinates ofthe externally provided pressure based on the detection signal.

The display panel may further include a gap-maintaining membermaintaining a gap between the array substrate and the oppositesubstrate. The gap-maintaining member may be a column spacer.

The array substrate may further include a plurality of first sensingelectrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes. Each of thefirst sensing electrodes is disposed on a respective one of the firstsignal lines and is electrically connected to a respective one of thefirst signal lines. Each of the second sensing electrodes is disposed ona respective one of the second signal lines and is electricallyconnected to a respective one of the second signal lines. The first andthe second sensing electrodes may be formed from a substantially samelayer as the pixel electrode.

Alternatively, the array substrate may further include a plurality offirst sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, anda plurality of third sensing electrodes. Each of the first sensingelectrodes is disposed on a respective one of the first signal lines andis electrically connected to a respective one of the first signal lines.Each of the second sensing electrodes is disposed on a respective one ofthe second signal lines and is electrically connected to a respectiveone of the second signal lines. Each of the third sensing electrodes isspaced apart from the first and the second sensing electrodes and isoverlapped by each of the connecting members. The array substrate mayfurther include a common voltage line to apply a predetermined voltageto the common electrode, and each of the third sensing electrodes may beelectrically connected to the common voltage line.

The touch position detecting part may include a voltage controlling partcontrolling application of an initial driving voltage to the first andthe second signal lines. The touch position detecting part may furtherinclude a data sampling part detecting voltage variations of the firstand the second signal lines and outputting a detection signal when atleast one of the connecting members is electrically connected to atleast one of the first signal lines and the second signal lines by theexternally provided pressure. The data sampling part may include anoperational amplifier.

In other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a method ofpreventing display quality deterioration during a touch screen functionof a liquid crystal display includes providing an array substrate with apixel electrode, a common electrode, a first sensing electrodeelectrically connected to a first signal line, and a second sensingelectrode electrically connected to a second signal line, providing anopposite substrate with an electrically conductive connecting memberprotruding therefrom, disposing a liquid crystal layer between the arraysubstrate and the opposite substrate, liquid crystal molecules withinthe liquid crystal layer being horizontally aligned on the arraysubstrate during operation of the liquid crystal display, and providingan externally provided pressure on the opposite substrate toelectrically connect the connecting member to the first and secondsignal lines via the first and second sensing electrodes on the arraysubstrate, wherein an alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is notsubstantially altered by the externally provided pressure.

According to the above, a display panel includes an array substratehaving a pixel electrode and a common electrode. Thus, when the displaypanel is operated, liquid crystal molecules are horizontally aligned onthe array substrate. Therefore, when an externally provided pressure isapplied to the display panel in order to perform a touch screenfunction, an alignment of the liquid crystal molecules disposed on thearray substrate may not be substantially changed, and a display qualitymay be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become readily apparent by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary display panel accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary display panelaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a portion of an exemplary displaypanel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ illustrated inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the exemplary displaypanel of FIG. 4 when an externally provided pressure is applied to theopposite substrate;

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a portion of an exemplary displaypanel according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ illustrated inFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the exemplary displaypanel of FIG. 7 when an externally provided pressure is applied to theopposite substrate;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an exemplary method of detecting a touchposition using an exemplary display panel according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit view illustrating an exemplary touchposition detecting part of an exemplary display panel according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit view illustrating an exemplary touchposition detecting part of an exemplary display panel according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown.This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relativesizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layeror intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any andall combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus,a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed belowcould be termed a second element, component, region, layer or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. Assuch, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed aslimited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but areto include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as arectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or agradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binarychange from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried regionformed by implantation may result in some implantation in the regionbetween the buried region and the surface through which the implantationtakes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematicin nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actualshape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 isa plan view illustrating an exemplary display panel assembly accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is aperspective view illustrating an exemplary display panel according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display apparatus 100 includes a displaypanel 200, a panel driving part 300, a touch position detecting part400, and a position determining part 500.

The display panel 200 includes an array substrate 210, an oppositesubstrate 220, and a liquid crystal layer (not shown). The arraysubstrate 210 includes a plurality of switching elements, such as thinfilm transistors (“TFT”). The opposite substrate 220 faces the arraysubstrate 210. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the arraysubstrate 210 and the opposite substrate 220.

The array substrate 210 may further include a plurality of data linesDL1, DL2, . . . DLm arranged in a column direction, a second direction,of the array substrate 210 and a plurality of gate lines GL1, GL2, . . .GLn arranged in a row direction, a first direction, of the arraysubstrate 210.

The number of the gate lines GL1, GL2, . . . GLn of the array substrate210 is n, and the gate lines GL1, GL2, . . . GLn extend in a firstdirection D1. The number of the data lines DL1, DL2, . . . DLm of thearray substrate 210 is m, and the data lines DL1, DL2, . . . DLm extendin a second direction D2 that is substantially in perpendicular to thefirst direction D1. A plurality of pixels is formed in regions definedby the gate and data lines GL1, GL2, . . . GLn and DL1, DL2, . . . DLm.Here, ‘n’ and ‘m’ are natural numbers.

For example, a TFT 211 of the TFTs, a common electrode (not shown), anda pixel electrode (not shown) are formed in an area in which the firstdata line DL1 crosses the first gate line GL1. A gate electrode of theTFT 211 is electrically connected to the first gate line GL1. A sourceelectrode of the TFT 211 is electrically connected to the first dataline DL1. A drain electrode of the TFT 211 is electrically connected tothe pixel electrode. Also, the m×n TFTs are formed in areas in which thedata lines DL1, DL2, . . . DLm cross the gate lines GL1, GL2, . . . GLn.

Referring to FIG. 3, the array substrate 210 may further include aplurality of first signal lines SL1 and a plurality of second signallines SL2 to perform a touch screen function. The first signal lines SL1extend in the first direction D1, and the second signal lines SL2 extendin the second direction D2. The first signal lines SL1 cross the secondsignal lines SL2, and are electrically insulated from the second signallines SL2. The first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 areelectrically connected to the touch position detecting part 400.

The first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 may be formed in unitpixel parts, respectively, rather than in each pixel. Each of the unitpixel parts includes a red (“R”) pixel, a green (“G”) pixel, and a blue(“B”) pixel. Alternatively, the first and the second signal lines SL1and SL2 may be formed in a plurality of unit pixel parts. For example,the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 may be formed in everyfour unit pixel parts, respectively.

The opposite substrate 220 faces the array substrate 210 and is combinedwith the array substrate 210 to receive the liquid crystal layer therebetween. The opposite substrate 220 may be a color filter substratehaving a plurality of color filters. Alternatively, the color filtersmay be formed on the array substrate 210.

In addition, the opposite substrate 220 may further include a pluralityof connecting members 230 to perform the touch screen function. When anexternally provided pressure PO is applied to one of the connectingmembers 230, the connecting member 230 is electrically connected to oneof the first signal lines SL1 and one of the second signal lines SL2that are formed on the array substrate 210.

A first initial driving voltage Vid1 and a second initial drivingvoltage Vid2 are respectively applied to the first and the second signallines SL1 and SL2. A level of the first initial driving voltage Vid1 isdifferent from a level of the second initial driving voltage Vid2. Whenthe externally provided pressure PO is applied to one of the connectingmembers 230, the connecting member 230 is electrically connected to oneof the first signal lines SL1 and one of the second signal lines SL2.Thus, a level of a voltage applied to each of the first and the secondsignal lines SL1 and SL2 is changed, thereby detecting a touch positionof the externally provided pressure PO on the display panel 200. Thefirst signal lines SL1 are used for detecting y-coordinates of the touchposition, and the second signal lines SL2 are used for detectingx-coordinates of the touch position.

The connecting members 230 may be formed in each of the unit pixelparts, respectively. Each of the unit pixel parts includes a red (“R”)pixel, a green (“G”) pixel and a blue (“B”) pixel. Alternatively, theconnecting members 230 may be formed in a plurality of unit pixel parts.For example, the connecting members 230 may be formed in every four unitpixel parts, respectively. The connecting members 230 may correspond tothe first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2.

The panel driving part 300 includes a timing controlling part 310, apower supply part 320, a gray-scale voltage generating part 330, a datadriving part 340, and a gate driving part 350.

The timing controlling part 310 controls an operation of the displayapparatus 100. The timing controlling part 310 generates a first datasignal DATA1, a second control signal CNTL2, a third control signalCNTL3, and a fourth control signal CNTL4 based on RGB primary datasignals DATA_0 and a first control signal CNTL1. The RGB primary datasignals DATA_0 and the first control signal CNTL1 are provided from ahost system, such as a graphic controller, to the display panel 200.

Particularly, the first control signal CNTL1 includes a main clocksignal MCLK, a horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC, and a verticalsynchronizing signal VSYNC. The second control signal CNTL2 includes ahorizontal start signal STH, an inversion signal REV, and a data loadsignal TP for controlling the data driving part 340. The third controlsignal CNTL3 includes a start signal STV, a clock signal CK and anoutput enable signal OE, etc., for driving the gate driving part 350.The fourth control signal CNTL4 includes another clock signal CLK and aninversion signal REV.

The timing controlling part 310 controls timing of the primary datasignal DATA_0 to apply the first data signal DATA1 to the data drivingpart 320.

The timing controlling part 310 may further output a fifth controlsignal CNTL5 to control the touch position detecting part 400. The fifthcontrol signal CNTL5 includes another clock signal to control the firstand the second initial driving voltages Vid1 and Vid2 that are outputtedfrom the power supplying part 320 so that the first and the secondinitial driving voltages Vid1 and Vid2 are applied to the first and thesecond signal lines SL1 and SL2, respectively. One of the first and thesecond initial driving voltages Vid1 and Vid2 may be 0V.

The power supplying part 320 generates common voltages Vcom and Vcstapplied to the display panel 200, the first and the second initialdriving voltages Vid1 and Vid2 that are applied to the array substrate210 to perform the touch screen function, an analog driving voltage AVDDapplied to the gray-scale voltage generating part 330, and gate on/offvoltages Von and Voff applied to the gate driving part 350 based on thefourth control signal CNTL4 outputted from the timing controlling part310.

The gray-scale voltage generating part 330 generates a plurality ofreference gray-scale voltages VGMA_R corresponding to the number ofgray-scales based on a division resistor having a resistance ratiocorresponding to a gamma curve using the analog driving voltage AVDDouputted from the power supply part 320 as a reference voltage.

As shown in FIG. 2, the data driving part 340 includes a data tapecarrier package (“TCP”) 341 that carries a data driving chip 342thereon. The data driving part 340 may further include a plurality ofdata TCPs 341 to divide the data lines DL1, DL2, . . . DLm into aplurality of groups. The array substrate 210 is electrically connectedto a data printed circuit board (“PCB”) 360, on which the timingcontrolling part 310 is formed, through the data TCP 341.

The data TCP 341 changes the first data signal DATA1 of a digital typeinto a plurality of data signals D1, D2, . . . Dm based on the secondcontrol signal CNTL2 that is from the timing controlling part 310 andthe gray-scale voltage VGMA from the gray scale voltage generating part330. The data TCP 341 controls an output timing of an application of thedata signals D1, D2, . . . Dm to the data lines DL1, DL2, . . . DLm,respectively.

The gate driving part 350 includes a gate TCP 351 that carries a gatedriving chip thereon. The gate driving part 350 may further include aplurality of gate TCPs 351 to divide the gate lines GL1, GL2, . . . GLninto a plurality of groups. The gate TCPs 351 applies a plurality ofgate signals G1, G2, . . . Gn based on the third control signal CNTL3that is outputted from the timing controlling part 310 and the gateon/off voltages Von and Voff that are outputted from the power supplypart 320 to the gate lines GL1, GL2, . . . GLn, respectively.

The touch position detecting part 400 detects a touch position of theexternally provided pressure PO applied to the opposite substrate 220.

When the externally provided pressure PO is applied to the oppositesubstrate 220, one of the connecting member 230 is electricallyconnected to one of the first signal lines SL1 and one of the secondsignal lines SL2 to change the level of the first initial drivingvoltage Vid1 applied to the first signal line SL1, thereby detecting they-coordinates of the externally provided pressure PO.

In addition, when the externally provided pressure PO is applied to theopposite substrate 220, the connecting member 230 is electricallyconnected to the first signal lines SL1 and the second signal lines SL2to change the level of the second initial driving voltage Vid2 appliedto the second signal line SL2, thereby detecting the x-coordinates ofthe externally provided pressure PO.

The touch position detecting part 400 may further include a voltagecontrolling part and a data sampling part, as will be further describedbelow with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12. The voltage controlling partrespectively applies the first and the second initial driving voltagesVid1 and Vid2 to the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 basedon the fifth control signal CNTL5. The data sampling part detects avoltage variation of each of the first and the second signal lines SL1and SL2 to output first and second detection signals DS1 and DS2.

The touch position detecting part 400 may be formed on the data drivingpart 340 of the panel driving part 300. Particularly, the touch positiondetecting part 400 may be integrally formed with the data driving chip342 of the data driving part 340. When the touch position detecting part400 is integrally formed with the data driving chip 342, the datadriving chip 342 may further include additional pads electricallyconnected to the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2. Whilethe first signal lines SL1 extend mainly in the first direction D1, anend portion of each first signal line SL1 may be bent to extend in thesecond direction D2, as shown in FIG. 3, to connect the first signallines SL1 to the additional pads in the data driving chip 342.

The position determining part 500 processes the y-coordinates and thex-coordinates based on the first and the second detection signals DS1and DS2 outputted from the touch position detecting part 400 todetermine the position of the externally provided pressure PO applied tothe display panel 200.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a portion of an exemplary displaypanel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ illustrated inFIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the exemplarydisplay panel of FIG. 4 when an externally provided pressure is appliedto the opposite substrate.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the array substrate 210 includes a pluralityof pixels arranged in a matrix shape. Each of the pixels are defined bygate lines GL adjacent to each other and data lines DL adjacent to eachother. Each of the pixels includes a common voltage line CL, a TFT 211,a common electrode 212, and a pixel electrode 214. At least one of thepixels may further include a first signal line SL1, a second signal lineSL2, a first sensing electrode ES1, and a second sensing electrode ES2.

The gate line GL extends in a first direction D1, and the data line DLextends in a second direction D2 substantially perpendicular to thefirst direction D1. The gate line GL is electrically insulated from thedata line DL.

The first signal line SL1 extends in the first direction D1, and thesecond signal line SL2 extends in the second direction D2. A firstinitial driving voltage Vid1 is applied to the first signal line SL1, asecond initial driving voltage Vid2 is applied to the second signal lineSL2.

The first sensing electrode ES1 may be formed on the first signal lineSL1, and the second sensing electrode ES2 may be formed on the secondsignal line SL2. That is, the first sensing electrode ES1 iselectrically connected to the first signal line SL1, and the secondsensing electrode ES2 is electrically connected to the second signalline SL2. When an externally provided pressure PO is applied to theopposite substrate 220, the first and the second sensing electrodes ES1and ES2 make contact with the connecting member 230 formed at theopposite substrate 220. Particularly, the first sensing line SL1 iselectrically connected to the connecting member 230 through the firstsensing electrode ES1, and the second sensing line SL2 is electricallyconnected to the connecting member 230 through the second sensingelectrode ES2. The first and the second sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2are electrically connected to the first and the second sensing lines SL1and SL2 through via holes VH.

The pixel electrode 214 is electrically connected to the TFT 211. Thepixel electrode 214 may include a transparent conductive material, suchas indium tin oxide (“ITO”), indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), etc. The pixelelectrode 214 includes a main pixel electrode 214 a extending in thefirst direction D1 and a plurality of sub pixel electrodes 214 bextending from the main pixel electrode 214 a in the second directionD2.

The main pixel electrode 214 a is adjacent to the gate line GL. An endof the main pixel electrode 214 a is electrically connected to the TFT211. A signal voltage is applied to each of the sub pixel electrodes 214b through the main pixel electrode 214 a. In the illustrated embodiment,the sub pixel electrodes 214 b include a first sub pixel electrode, asecond sub pixel electrode, a third sub pixel electrode, and a fourthsub pixel electrode, however the number of the sub pixel electrodes 214b may increase or decrease as needed.

The common voltage line CL extends in the first direction D1. The commonvoltage line CL may be formed from a substantially same layer of thearray substrate 210 as the gate line GL. The common electrode 212 may beformed from a substantially same layer of the array substrate 210 as thepixel electrode 214 and may be electrically connected to the commonvoltage line CL through a via hole VH. A common voltage is applied tothe common electrode 212 through the common voltage line CL. The commonelectrode 212 may include transparent conductive material, such as ITO,IZO, etc.

The common electrode 212 includes a main common electrode 212 aextending in the first direction D1 and a plurality of sub commonelectrodes 212 b extending from the main common electrode 212 a in thesecond direction D2. The main common electrode 212 a extends parallel tothe main pixel electrode 214 a, and the sub common electrodes 212 bextend parallel to the sub pixel electrodes 214 b. In the illustratedembodiment, the sub common electrodes 212 b include a first sub commonelectrode, a second sub common electrode, a third sub common electrode,and a fourth sub common electrode, however the number of the sub commonelectrodes 212 b may increase or decrease as needed. The sub pixelelectrodes 214 b and the sub common electrodes 212 b may be alternatelyarranged in the pixel region. An electric field is formed between thecommon electrode 212 and the pixel electrode 214 to control alignmentsof liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal layer interposed betweenthe array substrate 210 and the opposite substrate 220.

The common electrode 212 and the pixel electrode 214 may have a variousshapes, such as a bending shape, a tilt shape, etc. such that the commonelectrode 212 is formed on a substrate on which the pixel electrode 214is formed.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the display panel 200 includes the arraysubstrate 210, the opposite substrate 220, and a gap-maintaining member240.

The TFT 211 is formed on a first base substrate 200 a of the arraysubstrate 210. A planarizing layer 213 covers the TFT 211 and the firstand the second signal lines SL1 and SL2. The first and the secondsensing electrodes ES1 and ES2, the pixel electrode 214, and the commonelectrode 212 are formed on the planarizing layer 213.

The TFT 211 includes a gate electrode 211 a, a gate insulating layer 211b, an active layer 211 c, an ohmic contact layer 211 d, a sourceelectrode 211 e, a drain electrode 211 f, and a protecting layer 211 g.

The gate electrode 211 a extends from the gate line GL. The gateinsulating layer 211 b covers the gate electrode 211 a and protects thegate electrode 211 a. The gate insulating layer 211 b also covers thegate line GL, the first signal line SL1, the common voltage line CL, andany exposed portion of the first base substrate 200 a. The active layer211 c and the ohmic contact layer 211 d are sequentially formed on thegate insulating layer 211 b. A portion of the ohmic contact layer 211 dis removed so that a portion of the active layer 211 c is exposed. Thesource electrode 211 e and the drain electrode 211 f are formed on theohmic contact layer 211 d. The source electrode 211 e extends from thedata line DL. The drain electrode 211 f is formed separately from thedata line DL. The protecting layer 211 g is formed over the sourceelectrode 211 e and the drain electrode 211 f as well as over the secondsignal line SL2, the data line DL, and any exposed portion of the gateinsulating layer 211 b. A portion of the protecting layer 211 g and aportion of the planarizing layer 213 are removed so that a portion ofthe drain electrode 211 f is exposed.

The first signal line SL1 is formed from a substantially same layer asthe gate line GL, and the second signal line SL2 is formed from asubstantially same layer as the data line DL.

The first sensing electrode ES1 is formed on the first signal line SL1.The first sensing electrode ES1 is formed on the planarizing layer 213and is electrically connected to the first signal line SL1 through a viahole VH formed through the planarizing layer 213, the protecting layer211 g, and the gate insulating layer 211 b. The first signal line SL1 iselectrically connected to the connecting member 230 through the firstsensing electrode ES1 when an externally provided pressure PO is appliedto the opposite substrate 220. The second sensing electrode ES2 isformed on the second signal line SL2. The second sensing electrode ES2is formed on the planarizing layer 213 and is electrically connected tothe second signal line SL2 through a via hole VH formed through theplanarizing layer 213 and the protecting layer 211 g. The second signalline SL2 is electrically connected to the connecting member 230 throughthe second sensing electrode ES2 when the externally provided pressurePO is applied to the opposite substrate 220. To prevent a reduction inan aperture ratio of the pixel, the first and the second sensingelectrodes ES1 and ES2 may be formed in a non-display area, for example,in an area in which a light-blocking layer is formed. In order toposition the first and second sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2 adjacent toeach other, branch portions may extend from the first signal line SL1and the second signal line SL2. In the illustrated embodiment, a branchportion from the first signal line SL1 may extend parallel to the secondsignal line SL2, and a branch portion from the second signal line SL2may extend parallel to the first signal line SL1. Positioning the firstand second sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2 using the branch portions asdescribed may help prevent a reduction of the aperture ratio of thepixels, however alternate configurations of the first and second sensingelectrodes ES1 and ES2 with or without branch portions would also bewithin the scope of these embodiments. Each of the first and the secondsensing electrodes ES1 and ES2 may include the transparent conductivematerial, such as ITO, IZO, etc.

The first signal line SL1 is disposed under the gate insulating layer211 b, the protecting layer 211 g and the planarizing layer 213. Thefirst signal line SL1 is electrically connected to the first sensingelectrode ES1 through a via hole VH. The second signal line SL2 isdisposed under the protecting layer 211 g and the planarizing layer 213.The second signal line SL2 is electrically connected to the secondsensing electrode ES2 through a via hole VH.

The opposite substrate 220 includes a second base substrate 220 a andthe connecting member 230. The second base substrate 220 a may include atransparent insulating material, such as a glass, a synthetic polymer,etc. For example, the second base substrate 220 a may includepolycarbonate (“PC”) having a relatively small elasticity.Alternatively, the second substrate 220 a may be a glass substrate thatis formed through an etching process, a grinding process, etc. to have arelatively small thickness.

The connecting member 230 protrudes from the opposite substrate 220 by apredetermined height, and the height of the connecting member 230 isless than a cell gap between the array substrate 210 and the oppositesubstrate 220. The height of the connecting member 230 is less than aheight of the gap maintaining member 240.

The connecting member 230 has a protrusion 230 a and a conductive layer230 b and overlaps with the first and the second sensing electrodes ES1and ES2. The protrusion 230 a protrudes from the opposite substrate 220.For example, the protrusion 230 a may be formed within a same layer ofthe opposite substrate 220 as the gap-maintaining member 240. Theconductive layer 230 b covers the protrusion 230 a. The conductive layer230 b may cover a lower end of the protrusion 230 a positioned closestto the array substrate 210. The conductive layer 230 b may include thetransparent conductive material, such as ITO, IZO, etc.

The gap-maintaining member 240 maintains a cell gap between the arraysubstrate 210 and the opposite substrate 220. Examples of thegap-maintaining member 240 include a column spacer, a ball spacer, etc.The ball spacer has resilience greater than the column spacer.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when an externally provided pressure PO isapplied to the opposite substrate 220, the connecting member 230 movestoward the array substrate 210 with the second base substrate 220 a tomake contact with the first and the second sensing electrodes ES1 andES2. Because the connecting member 230 includes the conductive layer 230b, when the connecting member 230 makes contact with the first and thesecond sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2, the first and the second sensingelectrodes ES1 and ES2 are electrically connected to each other. Thefirst and the second sensing electrodes ES1 and ES2 are electricallyconnected to the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 throughthe via holes VH, respectively. Thus, the first and the second signallines SL1 and SL2 are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, alevel of a voltage applied to each of the first and the second signallines SL1 and SL2 is varied.

When the externally provided pressure PO applied to the oppositesubstrate 220 is removed, the connecting member 230 moves in an oppositedirection from the array substrate 210 by elasticity of the second basesubstrate 220 a and elasticity of the gap-maintaining member 240. Thus,the connecting member 230 is spaced apart from the first and the secondsensing electrodes ES1 and ES2.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a portion of an exemplary displaypanel according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating theexemplary display panel of FIG. 7 when an externally provided pressurePO is applied to the opposite substrate.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, a display panel 201 includes an arraysubstrate 210 having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix shape.Each of the pixels is defined by gate lines GL adjacent to each otherand data lines DL adjacent to each other. Each of the pixels includes acommon voltage line CL, a TFT 211, a common electrode 212, and a pixelelectrode 214. The TFT 211, the common electrode 212, and the pixelelectrode 214 are substantially the same as the TFT, the commonelectrode, and the pixel electrode illustrated in FIG. 5. At least oneof the pixels may further include a first signal line SL1, a secondsignal line SL2, a first sensing electrode ES1, a second sensingelectrode ES2, and a third sensing electrode ES3.

The gate line GL extends in a first direction D1, and the data line DLextends in a second direction D2 substantially perpendicular to thefirst direction D1. The gate line GL is electrically insulated from thedata line DL. The common voltage line CL extends in the first directionD1 and may be formed from a substantially same layer as the gate lineGL.

The first signal line SL1 extends in the first direction D1, and thesecond signal line SL2 extends in the second direction D2. The firstsignal line SL1 may be formed from a substantially same layer as thegate line GL and the second signal line SL2 may be formed from asubstantially same layer as the data line DL. The first and the secondsignal lines SL1 and SL2 are connected to the ground. Thus, 0V of aninitial driving voltage is applied to each of the first and the secondsignal lines SL1 and SL2.

The first sensing electrode ES1 is formed on the first signal line SL1,and the second sensing electrode ES2 is formed on the second signal lineSL2. The third sensing electrode ES3 is formed on the common voltageline CL. In order to position the first, second, and third sensingelectrodes ES1, ES2, and ES3 adjacent to each other, branch portions mayextend from the first signal line SL1, the second signal line SL2, andthe common voltage line CL. In the illustrated embodiment, branchportions from the common voltage line CL and the first signal line SL1may extend towards each other and parallel to the second signal lineSL2, and a branch portion from the second signal line SL2 may extendparallel to and between the first signal line SL1 and the common voltageline CL. Positioning the first, second, and third sensing electrodesES1, ES2, and ES3 using the branch portions as described may helpprevent a reduction of the aperture ratio of the pixels, howeveralternate configurations of the first, second, and third sensingelectrodes ES1, ES2, and ES3 with or without branch portions would alsobe within the scope of these embodiments. When an externally providedpressure PO is applied to the opposite substrate 220, the first to thirdsensing electrodes ES1 to ES3 make contact with the connecting member235. Particularly, the connecting member 235 is electrically connectedto the first signal line SL1 through the first sensing electrode ES1,and the connecting member 235 is electrically connected to the secondsignal line SL2 through the second sensing electrode ES2, and theconnecting member 235 is electrically connected to the common voltageline CL through the third sensing electrode ES3. The first to thirdsensing electrodes ES1 to ES3 are electrically connected to the firstsignal line SL1, the second signal line SL2, and a common voltage lineCL through via holes VH, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the display panel 201 includes the arraysubstrate 210, the opposite substrate 220, and a gap-maintaining member240.

The first signal line SL1, the second signal line SL2, and the commonvoltage line CL are formed on a first base substrate 200 a. Aplanarizing layer 213 is formed on the first signal line SL1, the secondsignal line SL2, and the common voltage line CL. The first to the thirdsensing electrodes ES1 to ES3 are formed on the planarizing layer 213.

The first sensing electrode ES1 is formed on the first signal line SL1.The second sensing electrode ES2 is formed on the second signal lineSL2. The third sensing electrode ES3 is formed on the common voltageline CL. In order not to reduce an aperture ratio of the pixel, thefirst to the third sensing electrodes ES1 to ES3 may be formed in anon-display area, for example, in an area in which a light-blockinglayer is formed. Each of the first to the third sensing electrodes ES1to ES3 may include the transparent conductive material, such as ITO,IZO, etc.

The first signal line SL1 is disposed under the gate insulating layer211 b, the protecting layer 211 g, and the planarizing layer 213. Thefirst signal line SL1 is electrically connected to the first sensingelectrode ES1 through the via hole VH. The second signal line SL2 isdisposed under the protecting layer 211 g and the planarizing layer 213.The second signal line SL2 is electrically connected to the secondsensing electrode ES2 through the via hole VH. The common voltage lineCL is disposed under the gate insulating layer 211 b, the protectinglayer 211 g and the planarizing layer 213. The common voltage line CL iselectrically connected to the third sensing electrode ES3 through thevia hole VH.

The connecting member 235 has a protrusion 235 a and a conductive layer235 b and overlaps with the first to the third sensing electrodes ES1 toES3. That is, the connecting member 235 is disposed on a position on theopposite substrate 220 that overlaps with the first to the third sensingelectrodes ES1 to ES3 when the opposite substrate 220 and the arraysubstrate 210 are assembled together with the liquid crystal layer therebetween. The protrusion 235 a protrudes from the opposite substrate 220.For example, the protrusion 235 a may be formed with the gap-maintainingmember 240. That is, the protrusion 235 a may be formed duringsubstantially a same manufacturing step as the gap-maintaining member240. The conductive layer 235 b covers the protrusion 235 a. Theconductive layer 235 b may cover a lower end of the protrusion 235 a.The conductive layer 235 b may include the transparent conductivematerial, such as ITO, IZO, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, when an externally provided pressure PO isapplied to the opposite substrate 220, the connecting member 235 movestoward the array substrate 210 with the second base substrate 220 a tomake contact with the first to the third sensing electrodes ES1 to ES3.The first to the third sensing electrodes ES1 to ES3 are electricallyconnected to the first signal line SL1, the second signal line SL2, andthe common voltage line CL through the via holes VH, respectively. Thus,the first signal line SL1, the second signal line SL2, and the commonvoltage line CL are electrically connected to each other. Thus, a levelof a voltage applied to each of the first and the second signal linesSL1 and SL2 is varied.

When the externally provided pressure PO applied to the oppositesubstrate 220 is removed, the connecting member 235 moves in an oppositedirection from the array substrate 210 by elasticity of the second basesubstrate 220 a and elasticity of the gap-maintaining member 240. Thus,the connecting member 235 is spaced apart from the first to the thirdsensing electrodes ES1 to ES3.

In this exemplary embodiment, when the connecting member 235 makescontact with the first to the third sensing electrodes ES1 to ES3, thevoltage level of each of the first and the second signal lines SL1 andSL2 is varied from a predetermined voltage that is applied to the firstand the second signal lines SL1 and SL2. Thus, in this embodiment, thepower supply part 320 need not apply an initial driving voltage to eachof the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2.

Alternatively, the first sensing electrode ES1 may be formed in a firstpixel, and the second sensing electrode ES2 may be formed in a secondpixel adjacent to the first pixel, and the third sensing electrode ES3may be formed in each of the first and the second pixels. In such anembodiment, the first sensing electrode ES1 is electrically connected tothe third sensing electrode ES3, thereby detecting y-coordinates of atouch position of the externally provided pressure PO on the displaypanel 201. Furthermore, the second sensing electrode ES2 is electricallyconnected to the third sensing electrode ES3, thereby detectingx-coordinates of the touch position of the externally provided pressurePO on the display panel 201.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an exemplary method of detecting touchposition using an exemplary display panel according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 10, the display panel 200 includes thearray substrate 210 and the opposite substrate 220. The array substrate210 includes the first signal lines SL1 extending in the first directionD1 and the second signal lines SL2 extending in the second direction D2that crosses the first direction D1. The opposite substrate 220 facesthe array substrate 210 so that the liquid crystal layer is interposedbetween the array substrate 210 and the opposite substrate 220. Theopposite substrate 220 includes the connecting members 230. Theconnecting members 230 protrude from the opposite substrate 220 towardthe array substrate 210.

The first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 are electricallyconnected to the touch position detecting part 400 (shown in FIG. 1).The first and the second initial driving voltages Vid1 and Vid2 arerespectively applied to the first and the second signal lines SL1 andSL2 through the touch position detecting part 400.

For example, the display panel 200 may include an input member, such asan icon, that is displayed on the display panel 200. As shown by boxS101 of the exemplary method, the touch position detecting part 400applies the first and the second initial driving voltages Vid1 and Vid2outputted from the power supply part 320 to the first and the secondsignal lines SL1 and SL2 based on a fifth control signal CNTL5 that isoutputted from a timing controlling part 310.

When an externally provided pressure PO is applied to a portion of theopposite substrate 220, the portion of the opposite substrate 220 isbent toward the array substrate 210 so that the connecting member 230makes contact with the first and the second sensing electrodes ES1 andES2, as determined in block S102 of the exemplary method. Thus, thefirst and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 are electrically connectedto each other. Therefore, a level of a voltage applied to each of thefirst and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 is changed.

As shown in block S103 of the exemplary method, when the voltage levelapplied to the first signal line SL1 is changed, the data sampling part420 of the touch position detecting part 400, as described below withrespect to FIGS. 11 and 12, generates a first detection signal DS1 usingthe changed voltage level. The first detection signal DS1 corresponds toy-coordinates of a position of the externally provided pressure PO.Furthermore, when the voltage level applied to the second signal lineSL2, which is simultaneously changed with the first signal line SL1, ischanged, the data sampling part 420 of the touch position detecting part400 generates a second detection signal DS2 using the changed voltagelevel. The second detection signal DS2 corresponds to x-coordinates ofthe position of the externally provided pressure PO.

The first and the second detection signals DS1 and DS2 are applied to aposition determining part 500 (shown in FIG. 1). As shown by box S104 ofthe exemplary method, the position determining part 500 processes they-coordinates and the x-coordinates of the externally provided pressurePO to determine the position of the externally provided pressure PO onthe display panel 200, thereby applying data of the y-coordinates andthe x-coordinates to a host system displaying an image.

The data of the y-coordinates and the x-coordinates of the input memberand instruction assembly are stored in the host system. The host systemperforms an instruction corresponding to the data of the y-coordinatesand the x-coordinates based on the first and the second detectionsignals DS1 and DS2 that are generated using the externally providedpressure PO, and a result of the instruction is displayed on the displaypanel 200. The position determining part 500 may be integrated into thehost system. Alternatively, the host system may perform the touchposition determining function of the position determining part 500.

A method similar to that shown in FIG. 10 may be employed for detectingtouch position using the display panel 201 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. Such amethod would not require applying initial driving voltages Vid1 and Vid2to first and second signal lines SL1 and SL2 as shown in block S101.

FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit view illustrating an exemplary touchposition detecting part of an exemplary display panel according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 11, a voltage controlling part 410 is drivenbased on the fifth control signal CNTL5 outputted from the timingcontrolling part 310 (shown in FIG. 1) to apply the first and the secondinitial driving voltages Vid1 and Vid2 to the first and the secondsignal lines SL1 and SL2.

When the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 are electricallyconnected to each other by an externally provided pressure PO, a levelof a voltage applied to each of the first and the second signal linesSL1 and SL2 is changed. A data sampling part 420 compares apredetermined reference signal Vref with the changed voltage level ofeach of the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 to amplify avoltage difference between the reference signal Vref and the changedvoltage level of each of the first and the second signal lines SL1 andSL2, and generates first and second detection signals DS1 and DS2. Thereference signal Vref may be adjusted to increase sensitivity fordetecting the variation of the level of each of the first and the secondsignal lines SL1 and SL2. The data sampling part 420 may include anoperational amplifier (Op-Amp), and the power supply part 320 may outputthe reference signal Vref.

For example, a plurality of data sampling parts 420 may be connected toeach of the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2. The voltagecontrolling part 410 may include a switching element such as a metaloxide semiconductor (“MOS”) transistor. The voltage controlling part 410may be electrically connected to the first and the second signal linesSL1 and SL2.

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit view illustrating an exemplary touchposition detecting part of an exemplary display panel according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, a first initial driving voltage Vid1 is applied toa first signal line SL1, and a second signal line SL2 is connected toground so that 0V is applied to the second signal line SL2. The firstinitial voltage Vid1 is not 0V.

When the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 are electricallyconnected to each other by an externally provided pressure PO, a levelof a voltage applied to each of the first and the second signal linesSL1 and SL2 is changed. A data sampling part 420 compares apredetermined reference signal Vref with the changed voltage level ofeach of the first and the second signal lines SL1 and SL2 to amplify avoltage difference between the reference signal Vref and the changedvoltage level of each of the first and the second signal lines SL1 andSL2, and generates first and second detection signals DS1 and DS2.

By employing the exemplary display panels and display apparatuses asdescribed above, a method of preventing display quality deteriorationduring a touch screen function of a liquid crystal display is madepossible. The method may include providing an array substrate with apixel electrode, a common electrode, a first sensing electrodeelectrically connected to a first signal line, and a second sensingelectrode electrically connected to a second signal line, providing anopposite substrate with an electrically conductive connecting memberprotruding therefrom, disposing a liquid crystal layer between the arraysubstrate and the opposite substrate, liquid crystal molecules withinthe liquid crystal layer being horizontally aligned on the arraysubstrate during operation of the liquid crystal display, and providingan externally provided pressure on the opposite substrate toelectrically connect the connecting member to the first and secondsignal lines via the first and second sensing electrodes on the arraysubstrate, wherein an alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is notsubstantially altered by the externally provided pressure.

According to the above, a display panel includes an array substratehaving a pixel electrode and a common electrode. Thus, when the displaypanel is operated, liquid crystal molecules are horizontally aligned onthe array substrate. Therefore, when an externally provided pressure isapplied to the display panel, in order to perform a touch screenfunction, an alignment of the liquid crystal molecule disposed on thearray substrate may not be substantially changed, and a display qualitymay be improved.

Further, the driving voltage for performing the sensing operation may beapplied through the common voltage line to simplify the voltagecontrolling part for driving the respective sensing line.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that the present invention should not belimited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes andmodifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within thespirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

1. A display apparatus comprising: a display panel comprising: an arraysubstrate including a data line, a gate line crossing the data line, afirst signal line substantially parallel to the gate line, a secondsignal line substantially parallel to the data line, a pixel including apixel electrode and a common electrode insulated from the pixelelectrode, a first sensing electrode electrically connected to the firstsignal line, and a second sensing electrode electrically connected tothe second signal line; an opposite substrate combined with the arraysubstrate to receive a liquid crystal layer and including a connectingmember overlapping with at least a portion of the first sensingelectrode and at least a portion of the second sensing electrode, theconnecting member being connected to the at least a portion of the firstsensing electrode and the at least a portion of the sensing electrode byan externally provided pressure; and a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween the array substrate and the opposite substrate and includingliquid crystal molecules, of which an alignment is controlled by anelectric field formed between the common electrode and the pixelelectrode; a touch position detecting part detecting the first and thesecond signal lines electrically connected to the connecting member tooutput a detection signal; and a position determining part determiningposition coordinates of the externally provided pressure based on thedetection signal.
 2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedisplay panel further comprises a gap-maintaining member maintaining agap between the array substrate and the opposite substrate.
 3. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 2, wherein the gap-maintaining member is acolumn spacer.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arraysubstrate further comprises a third sensing electrode which is spacedapart from the first and the second sensing electrodes, and theconnecting member overlapping with at least a portion of the thirdsensing electrode.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein thearray substrate further comprises a common voltage line to apply apredetermined voltage to the common electrode, and the third sensingelectrode is electrically connected to the common voltage line.
 6. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch position detecting partcomprises a voltage controlling part controlling application of aninitial driving voltage to the first and the second signal lines.
 7. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch position detecting partcomprises a data sampling part detecting voltage variations of the firstand the second signal lines and outputting a detection signal when theconnecting member is electrically connected to the first signal line andthe second signal line by the externally provided pressure.
 8. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 7, wherein the data sampling part includes anoperational amplifier.
 9. A display panel comprising: an array substrateincluding: a data line; a gate line crossing the data line; a firstsignal line extending in a first direction; a pixel including a pixelelectrode and a common electrode insulated from the pixel electrode; anda first sensing electrode which is electrically connected to the firstsignal line; an opposite substrate combined with the array substrate andincluding a connecting member overlapping with at least a portion of thefirst sensing electrode, and electrically connected to the at least aportion of the first sensing electrode by an externally providedpressure; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the arraysubstrate and the opposite substrate and including liquid crystalmolecules, of which an alignment is controlled by an electric fieldformed between the common electrode and the pixel electrode.
 10. Thedisplay panel of claim 9, wherein the array substrate further comprisesa second signal line extending in a second direction different from thefirst direction, and a second sensing electrode which is electricallyconnected to the second signal line.
 11. The display panel of claim 10,wherein the connecting member overlapping with at least a portion of thesecond electrode, and electrically connected to the at least a portionof the second electrode by the externally provided pressure.
 12. Thedisplay panel of claim 10, wherein the first signal line is formed froma substantially same layer as the gate line, and the second signal lineis formed from a substantially same layer as the data line.
 13. Thedisplay panel of claim 10, wherein the first sensing electrode iselectrically connected to the second sensing electrode via theconnecting member when the externally provided pressure is applied. 14.The display panel of claim 9, wherein the connecting member comprises aprotrusion protruding from the opposite substrate and a conductive layercovering the protrusion.
 15. The display panel of claim 10, wherein thefirst and the second sensing electrodes are formed from a substantiallysame layer as the pixel electrode.
 16. The display panel of claim 10,wherein the first and second sensing electrodes are formed from asubstantially same layer as the common electrode.
 17. The display panelof claim 10, wherein the array substrate further comprises a thirdsensing electrode which is spaced apart from the first and the secondsensing electrodes, and the connecting member is overlapping with atleast a portion of the third sensing electrode.
 18. The display panel ofclaim 17, wherein the array substrate further comprises a common voltageline to apply a predetermined voltage to the common electrode, and thethird sensing electrode is electrically connected to the common voltageline.
 19. The display panel of claim 17, wherein the first to the thirdsensing electrodes are formed from a substantially same layer as thepixel electrode.
 20. The display panel of claim 9, wherein liquidcrystal molecules within the liquid crystal layer are horizontallyaligned on the array substrate when the display panel is operated.